Kindle Advertising

Showtime, a subscription-based television channel, is not afraid to try new media and/or techniques to promote new shows. Ad Age reports they’re using Amazon’s Kindle to promote “Nurse Jackie,” a new series that starts next week:

Showtime may have finally cracked the code on using Kindle as an ad medium. Starting today the cable network is offering Kindle users a free, downloadable version of the pilot script for its new series “Nurse Jackie,” featuring Emmy Award winner and former “Sopranos” star Edie Falco.

Working with its media shop, Omnicom Group’s OMD, Showtime will use banner ads throughout Amazon.com and on the Kindle storefront to promote the free download, which will be available until Aug. 31. Along with cover art and a title page, the script comes with show scheduling information and a call to action urging readers to visit Sho.com to watch the premiere of “Nurse Jackie.”

“We were looking at the Kindle as a new concept platform that no one has figured out,” said Jon Haber, U.S. director of OMD’s Ignition Factory. “And while there is no advertising model on it yet, we still saw it as an opportunity to use our client’s content as advertising.”

There’s also a podcast on iTunes (hat tip: Mediabistro.com).

Good idea.